NavList:

Very few chronometer makers anywhere made every part of chronometers that bore their names and, especially in the nineteenth century, chronometer makers were for the most part chronometer finishers, buying parts or even whole unfinished movements from England.

In the nineteenth century, Bond, and Bliss and Creighton made complete instruments in America, and the firm of Negus did so in the late nineteenth to the first half of the twentieth century. Like most "makers" they probably also bought in parts or unfinished movements to meet periods of high demand.

However, it seems to be true that England dominated for most of the nineteenth century, but Swiss and German firms thereafter began to offer some serious competition.

According to Marvin Whitney, Bliss and Creighton made about 3500 chronometers and Negus made a similar number, so clearly "The art of chronometer manufacture" (in the sense described above) was not confined to the British Isles, though England was certainly the dominant country.

Those interested can look up Tony Mercer's "Chronometer Makers of the World", an expensive little book more than two thirds of which is dedicated to lists of "makers".

Bill Morris
Pukenui
New Zealand
----------------------------------------------------------------
NavList message boards and member settings: www.fer3.com/NavList
Members may optionally receive posts by email.
To cancel email delivery, send a message to NoMail[at]fer3.com
----------------------------------------------------------------